L E A D E R S H I PDEVELOPMENTACADEMY

Minnesota Bankers Association

2020 - 2021

Are You the Future of Banking?

2020-2021MBA Leadership

Development Academy

The future of banking is now. Cultivating high-performing leaders is the only sure-fire strategy to succeed in today’s rapidly changing banking environment. That’s why the MBA is so excited to announce the fourth offering of the Minnesota Bankers Association Leadership Development Academy. As Baby Boomers move into retirement, the banking industry will need to identify and train the next generation of leaders. This world-class leadership development program is designed specifically to hone the leadership skills of high-potential, mid-career bankers in Minnesota. The program instructors, presented below, bring a wealth of experience and an approach that will challenge participants to grow as leaders. This will be an unforgettable experience that will help shape the rest of your career.

Here is what past attendees have to say about the academy:

“Great program! Unlike anything I’ve done previously. Great balance of mental, physical and team challenges.”

“I like how much I was pushed outside of my element. Now I know I can push through almost anything.”

The Program in DetailThe program consists of four, three-day sessions over the course of 10 months. The class size will be limited to 25 participants. Tuition for the full year is $3,950.In addition to the four in-depth training sessions, participants are highly encouraged to take part in the MBA’s Annual Summit and Bank Day at the Capitol. To help make attendance at these events possible, participants will receive a 50 percent discount on registration for the 2021 Annual Summit and will be allowed to attend Bank Day at the Capitol without charge during the class year. At the 2021 Annual Summit, you will be formally recognized as a graduating member of the MBA Leadership Development Academy.

Session 1 - It’s Simple, But It Isn’t EasySeptember 22-24, 2020 Location: Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids

Leadership of organizations, teams and individuals is based on timeless core principles. These principles are simple to understand but not as easy to implement, maintain and develop into outstanding results. Session 1 will explore these core principles of leadership while also inspiring motivation, discipline and dedication to the pursuit of excellence no matter the leadership challenge.

Content for Session I includes:• Moving from Manager to Leader• The Personality Traits, Styles and Potential of Leaders• Teamwork – The Foundation of Organizational Excellence• Public Speaking with Confidence and Impact• Banks of the Future – Leveraging the Inevitable Changes• The Promises, Challenges and Necessities of the Digital Revolution

Session 2 – Do Something That Scares YouNovember 4-6, 2020Location: Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids

Leaders can emerge on every level of the organizational chart. Often what defines a leader is their willingness to face difficult situations that require courageous decisions or decisive action. In this session, participants will examine their own personal and professional willingness and comfort taking risks, challenging the status quo and engaging in out-of-the-box thinking. In addition, participants will explore how strong, high-performance teams push themselves to take risks and engage as one entity to meet uncertainty and challenge, enabling them to emerge as an even stronger organization.

The Ideal CandidateThere are no age requirements for this program. The ideal candidate is:

• A mid-career banker with significant potential for leadership;• Highly motivated to take their banking career to the next level; and• Committed to helping your team and their bank succeed.

Content for Session 2 includes:• Leadership Lessons from the Navy SEALS• Communication Styles across the Organization• Pushing the Limits on What You Currently Know and Do at Your Bank• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Speaking• Managing the Stress of Leadership• Navigating the Challenges of a Strong Team Culture

Session 3 – Limitations are Self-ImposedFebruary 2-4, 2021Location: Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids

Often, the limitations that come with change at the bank seem insurmountable. In reality, these limitations are self-imposed because leaders don’t have the knowledge, skill or experience to manage change. This session will focus on the inevitability of change in organizations, large or small, and will offer models and practices that will support leaders in taking a pro-active stance in directing that change. Participants will learn to leverage resources and communicate messages that will make any change, from core conversions to mergers to organizational re-structuring and staff turnover, an event that can be directed for optimal bank outcomes.

Content for Session 3 includes:• Recognizing and Managing Acute and Chronic Crises at the Bank• Peer-to-Peer Problem Solving• Emotional Intelligence as a Tool for Change• Crisis Communication• Leading a Team Under Pressure• Mission and Project Planning

Session 4 – Who Dares, WinsMay 18-20, 2021Location: Sugar Lake Lodge, Grand Rapids

The final session focuses on a thorough assessment of the leadership knowledge, skills and experience gained during the year-long leadership development program to guarantee transfer back to the benefit of the bank. In addition, the imperative of “daring” to meet the challenges of bank leaders of the future will be emphasized, along with the understanding that the “win” of becoming a strong leader is beneficial to their banks, their communities and their lives.

Content for Session 4 includes:• Using Organizational Culture to Drive Business Results• Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Employees• Going Beyond – The High Performance Team• Building a Professional Network for Influencing and Impact• Becoming an Advocate for the Industry• Taking it Back – Realizing Personal and Professional Transformation

Learning OutcomesAt the conclusion of this program, participants will have the skills to:

• Apply core concepts of – and know the difference between – leadership and management• Articulate and advocate persuasively for the bank and industry• Make courageous decisions crucial to the bank’s success• Think, plan and successfully execute bank initiatives• Deliver compelling business presentations• Motivate themselves and others to help the bank thrive• Contribute to the future of banking with innovative, forward thinking• Build and lead high performance teams• Develop organizational cultures that sustain success

The ApproachThe three core faculty members for the MBA Leadership Development Academy represent a diverse and powerful set of skills and experiences. However, what makes their approach successful is their unique commitment to team teaching and learning. The entire faculty is always with the class, whether in the classroom or outdoors, putting into practice the very principles of leadership and teamwork that are at the foundation of the course. Although each instructor brings a different leadership specialization to the program that is reflected in the content they present, the connections between

the content and the instructors are what ultimately provide real value back at the bank. The faculty have implemented this philosophy at banking leadership

schools across the country, as well as with companies outside of banking – and the results are always incredible.

The Faculty

Juli Lynch holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Development Psychology. She specializes in personal professional development, leadership and team development and organizational culture alignment and management. Juli has spent 25 years as a consultant and executive coach in the financial services industry, and has also coached executives in the automotive, healthcare and retail industries. She is a regular presenter at the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, and has spoken for more than 25 state banking associations over the past decade. She has led long-term consulting and coaching engagements with 20 banks

across the country that have focused on connecting culture and leadership to performance. Prior to her consulting career, Juli was a professional ultra-marathoner and adventure racer, competing around the globe with her teams. She gained incredible insight into enabling teams and leaders to reach new levels of performance in high-stress situations.

Juli Lynch, Ph.D.

Jessica Richardson Isenegger

Steve Ahlberg Capt. USN SEAL (Ret.)

MS, MBAWhen it comes to stress, Steve Ahlberg understands the reality of facing long odds and devising methods for defeating them. A career spent in the U.S. Navy SEALs, from Platoon Commander to Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command to Commodore, has empowered Steve to think strategically, plan thoroughly, and take action. The SEALs are arguably the most versatile of the military special operations groups. Known within their community as simply, “The Teams,” they achieve the seemingly impossible through Teamwork. Armed with an MBA and MS in Strategic Intelligence, Steve has the ability to wind stories of his military exploits around effective methods of team building, team leadership, and executive training. He has worked to develop high performance teams and leaders in organizations nationally and internationally, large and small.

Jessica is a founder of Infusion Group, a consulting firm that specializes in leadership, communication, public speaking and strategic planning. Prior to Infusion Group, Jessica worked at the senior leadership level in the financial service industry in marketing and communication. When she decided to start her own financial services marketing and consulting business during one the worst recessions in history, she was determined to build a successful consulting company and she has done just that. Jessica’s passion is supporting organizations in maneuvering through the critically important marketing and communication decisions they

face. She has an understanding of how to assist individuals, teams and organizations in leveraging strategic initiatives across the organization to create alignment and excellence. Whether it’s marketing, communication or strategic planning, Jessica works with organizations to handle tough issues and build effective leaders. Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication with minors in Political Science and Management, and she has been a presenter for several organizations and associations including the Michigan Bankers Association. Jessica resides in Michigan with her husband, her three-year-old foster daughter and their three spoiled cats.

Locations and Lodging DetailsThe program will take place at The Leadership Lodge at Sugar Lake Lodge near Grand Rapids. The Leadership Lodge is designed specifically to encourage teamwork, inspire creativity and take you to new heights.Upon acceptance into the program, MBA staff will work with you to arrange accommodations at this location. Tuition does not include hotel costs, but does include all onsite meals. The contracted rates at the Sugar Lake Lodge range from $186.50 - $277.14 (includes sales tax and fees) per night.

For questions contact Chris Harrison, Senior Education Coordinator

at chrish@minnbankers.com.www.minnbankers.com/leadershipacademy